Rahim defends Tamim's selection

Bangladesh skipper, Mushfiqur Rahim justified the selection of out-of-form opener, Tamim Iqbal, ahead of Shamshur Rahman in the just concluded 3-match ODI series against India.

Tamim had missed most of the Bangladesh's recent matches with an injury and looked rusty and patchy in the first two games of the series. He scratched around in the first ODI before being adjudged caught at the wicket, a pretty harsh decision. The left handed batsman then tried to hit his way out of trouble in the second ODI, and only managed a wild hoick to the keeper, precipitating Bangladesh's collapse. Chasing a meagre target of 106, they were bundled out for just 58, their joint lowest ever ODI score.

Rahim defended the selection saying Tamim was a key member of the team and hence deserved to get more chances. "It is based on what type of player you are looking to drop. If it is a proven player who has been there for four or five years, you have to see him playing for five, six or 10 games. To replace him you will need to develop someone for four to five years," he said.

Shamsur Rahman was a part of the squad for the India series but did not feature in any matches. "Shamsur was here as a back-up opener. The team management felt that although Tamim couldn't perform according to his potential, he can be given another chance. He has been our main batsman in the last couple of years. He was a key player," said Rahim.

There was widespread criticism at the way some of the selections to the national team went by, and Rahim promised it would be a streamlined process in future. "We all have input in the selection, including the coach and the rest of the team management and of course the selectors. So far I haven't found anything wrong with the selections, but hopefully in future we will try to clarify our selections to you," he said.

Having recorded an improbable victory after defending the lowest-ever score in the history of the game, a confident Indian team would look to go for the kill by completing a 3-0 rout when it meets an out-of-sync Bangladesh in the final one-dayer